Faction Brewing

"Faction Brewing", acrylic on linen 16" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

The owners of Faction Brewing, a popular micro-brewery and pub in Alameda, were kind enough to allow our plein air group to paint inside their facility.  What a treat!  I loved all of the complex equipment and the beautiful, light-filled industrial space, a re-purposed naval aircraft hangar.  (The slightly wacky colors are my own invention, of course!)

USS Hornet

"USS Hornet", acrylic on canvas 8" x 8", © Nancy Roberts

Here's the historic USS Hornet seen from shore in Alameda, California during a great paint-out with the East Bay Plein Air group.  The Hornet is a naval aircraft carrier that was active in the Pacific during WWII and went on to recover Apollo astronauts returning from the moon.  It was fun painting this magnificent ship, with all of its complex equipment and vintage jets perched on the flight deck.

Garden Spirit

"Garden Spirit", acrylic on canvas 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

I started this at the Ruth Bancroft Garden last week and finished it in the studio today. Through my eyes and heart this complex terrain became a mosaic of glowing color and happy patterns.  Pure joy!

For purchase information click here: http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nancy-roberts/garden-spirit/536557

Key System 1201

"Key System 1201", acrylic on canvas 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

I painted this vintage trolley car at the Western Railway Museum, just outside of Rio Vista. It was originally part of the Key System, an interurban streetcar system that connected neighborhoods in the East Bay for many years, before the advent of AC Transit and BART. The museum volunteers have restored it to running condition, complete with a glorious orange paint job. With its rubber roof and wooden platform it's also used as a work vehicle for repairing the labyrinth of overhead electrical wiring at the museum.

For purchase information click here: http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/nancy-roberts/key-system-1201/536365

Half Dome in Winter

"Half Dome in Winter", pastel, © Nancy Roberts

I did this painting back in 2005, when I was first exploring and falling in love with pastel.  I was inspired and mentored by two Bay Area artists, Warren Dreher and Blanche Anderson.  Both of these amazing artists continue to inspire me. Gosh, I think I'll get those pastels out again!

November Nopales

"November Nopales", acrylic on canvas 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

I painted this on November 11 at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California.  The garden is a beautiful collection of cacti, succulents and desert trees from all over the world. This time of year it's a rich tapestry of glowing color and lively patterns. A peaceful, joyful place to paint.

For those of you who are interested, here are some photos of my process, too.

Welcome Home, Mrs. Marsh

"Welcome Home, Mrs. Marsh"
Acrylic on Canvas, 24" x 12"
©2016 Nancy Roberts

California pioneer John Marsh built this grand stone house for his wife Abby, but she died before construction was complete. I decided to create an alternate universe where her story has a happier ending. This painting was part of an exhibit and auction benefitting the John Marsh Historic Trust, whose goal is to restore this historic house and open a new state park around it.  (Sold)

Gateau Rose

"Gateau Rose", acrylic on canvas 8"x8", ©Nancy Roberts

Couldn't resist painting this beautiful pink cake!  Saw it in the window of the Pierre Hermes shop in Paris, known and beloved for their delicious macarons. Now available at Delta Gallery in Brentwood, www.deltagallery.com.

Benicia Waterfront

"Benicia Waterfront", oil on wood panel, 8" x 8", © Nancy Roberts

Started this a few weeks ago, painting with friends at Benicia's Clock Tower park, and finished it today in my studio.  It was a lovely, clear day with great views of the Carquinez Hills across the strait.  Now available at Delta Gallery in Brentwood, www.deltagallery.com.

Piggy on Green

"Piggy on Green", oil on wood panel, 8" x 6", © Nancy Roberts

Having fun painting with oil again!  Here's my little piggy bank hanging out on the pool table. (Sold)

Pondering Picasso

"Pondering Picasso", acrylic on wood, 8" x 6", © Nancy Roberts

As this couple contemplated one of my favorite Picassos, I loved how they almost became one with the painting. This is Picasso's "Arlequin et Femme au Collier" at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. (Sold)

Sacre Coeur



"Sacre Coeur", acrylic on wood, 8" x 6", © Nancy Roberts

I loved this amazing view through one of the huge clocks at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, with Sacre Coeur gleaming above a mosaic of rooftops. Now available at Delta Gallery in Brentwood, www.deltagallery.com.

Bead Buddy

"Bead Buddy", oil on canvas, 6" x 6", © Nancy Roberts

I love this vintage baby toy with his cute roundness and cheerful pastel colors! For this little painting I decided to place him in a bright, amorphous space, the way a baby might see him.

Texting at the Louvre

"Texting at the Louvre", oil on canvas, 16" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

I saw this young woman sitting in a window alcove at the Louvre, focused intently on her phone. In the soft window glow, surrounded by gleaming marble, she had a quiet, timeless beauty.

Blackhawk Cascades

"Blackhawk Cascades", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

A few weeks ago I painted at Blackhawk Plaza during the Alamo Danville Artists' Society's annual Primavera event as one of the featured plein air artists. This upscale mall in Danville, California has a beautifully-landscaped creek running through its central open space, splashing and gurgling its way down a series of terraced levels. The place is alive with ducks and kids playing with ducks.  It was a fun day!

For anyone who's interested, here are some shots of my painting in progress.  I finished it a few days later at home in the studio. (Sold)

Beyond the Knot Garden

"Beyond the Knot Garden", acrylic on canvas 12" x 12", by Nancy Roberts, © 2016

A couple of weeks ago I spent a lovely day painting at Filoli, the beautiful historic estate in Woodside, California.  Beyond the highly-manicured formal gardens I came upon the Knot Garden, a fragrant jumble of heather, sage and herbs planted in a Celtic knot design. With the late-afternoon sun glowing through the woods, this spot had a peaceful, almost mystical feeling.

The Knot Garden at Filoli

Knot Garden and red hedge

My view, with the Knot Garden in the foreground

My block-in

My painting, almost complete

Round Valley Rhythms

"Round Valley Rhythms", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12" by Nancy Roberts, © 2016

I started this at Round Valley Regional Preserve in the Spring and finished it in my studio today. I love painting this beautiful area with its patchwork of oak trees, grassy slopes and vineyards cradling the quiet banks of Marsh Creek.

May the Fourth (be with you)

"Aja Victorious", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

 Last year on May 4th Aja de Coudreaux and her friend Alain Bloch donned their Star Wars gear to pose for our figure group in Brentwood. Alain teaches Star Wars-themed saber choreography at the Golden Gate Knights Academy in San Francisco, so his poses with the light saber were very active and dramatic. What a treat it was to draw these two talented people!

"Allies", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"Dueling", charcoal by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"Aja Vanquished", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"Alain Vanquished", charcoal and pastel by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

"The Challenge", charcoal by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

Jersey Island Twilight

"Jersey Island Twilight", acrylic on canvas 12" x 24" by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

I live near an archipelago of beautiful delta islands, wide open spaces inhabited by cows and shore birds. Huge, graceful power towers stride across the landscape and cast heroic shadows as the sun sets over a distant slough.​

Peach Blossoms

"Peach Blossoms", acrylic on canvas, 12" x 12", Nancy Roberts copyright 2016

Started this one during a paint-out with friends at the old peach orchard on Eureka Avenue in Brentwood.  The pink blossoms were dazzling!

Orchard Storm

"Orchard Storm", acrylic on canvas 16" x 12" by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

These old, gnarly peach trees produce the most glorious pink blossoms every year. I started this painting in the orchard a couple of days ago as storm clouds loomed, and finished it today in my studio.

Siouxsie the Banshee

"Siouxsie, gesture one", charcoal by Nancy Roberts

Our model at the Brentwood figure group this week was the beautiful and talented Susan Monson in character as Siouxsie the Banshee.  Channeling a hippie vibe and playing a Native American flute, this Banshee can steal your soul by doing your laundry.

"Siouxsie, gesture two", charcoal by Nancy Roberts

"Siouxsie, gesture three", charcoal and acrylic by Nancy Roberts

"Siouxsie Seated", acrylic by Nancy Roberts

"Siouxsie Reclining", acrylic by Nancy Roberts



Ready to Bloom

"Ready to Bloom", acrylic on canvas 12" x 12" by Nancy Roberts, copyright 2016

The cherry orchards in Brentwood will be blooming soon, but for now the trees are still bare. I love the structure of their gnarly trunks and lacy branches. Just before the bloom the twigs at the crowns of the trees take on a lovely russet color that glows in the Spring sunshine.

I started this at a favorite spot on Eureka Avenue a few days ago and finished it in my studio today. For anyone who's interested, here are some photos of my process: